And we are under way

It's on.
Sitting within view of three monumental trophies, the Mustangs have shaken hands and started play.
In fact, time for the first round is about half through.
Aamir is the first to finish, with a win on board 5.
Other players are in the midgame.  Jayce is up a knight, and Slav is up a pawn.  Everyone else is even on material and typically close on time.  Waubonsie Valley, seeded 30, is showing their mettle.  We knew they were strong this year, despite losing their promising freshman, Arthur Li, to 11th-seed IMSA, where he now plays 4th board.
Liang (black) had a center pawn (E5) attacked by both rook and queen, without two pieces covering it, so to my eyes (similar to a lower JV player), it looked like he was in danger of losing the center and a pawn.  But Aamir reports that Liang applied pressure elsewhere, used a pin, and succeeded in pushing the pawn, so he is now in control on board 1.
Coach Caveney noticed that when our team starts up near the podium, players from other teams scope us out, taking notes on our openings.  Coach and Aamir concur that it is depth and tactical strength that matter most.  Nonetheless, as moss grows on the north side of a tree, a team in a special position gets treated in special ways.